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Introduction
This Report has been prepared by the Scottish Executive
to explain the consultation process that was undertaken on
the drafting of Scottish Planning Policy 17:
Planning for Transport and the changes that have
been made to the
SPP in the light of the consultation
responses and input from other key stakeholders. It is
intended as a fair representation of the points made by
respondees.
The report
Review of Strategic Planning: Conclusion and Next
Steps (published June 2002) proposed to replace
National Planning Policy Guidelines with Scottish Planning
Policies, more concise policy focused documents.
SPP17 replaces
NPPG9 on Roadside Facilities,
NPPG17 on Transport, and an Addendum on
Maximum Parking Standards.
The Consultation
Process
In line with policy to extend participation in
Government more widely through partnership and involvement
in policy development, the consultation on this
SPP was carried out in an open,
inclusive and transparent way. The Scottish Executive used
a number of methods to encourage consideration and
discussion of the issues:
- An external advisory group of key stakeholders was
established by the Scottish Executive to help prepare a
consultative draft
SPP. Some of those chose to be
corresponding members, while the remainder attended
meetings to discuss issues face to face. The draft
SPP was published on 17 January
2004;
- The Scottish Executive issued 1,582 copies of the
draft to a wide range of interests, 944 by hard copy
and 638 by electronic means;
- The draft was also placed on the Scottish Executive
website;
- A draft of a revised Planning Advice Note on
Planning for Transport was also placed on the
Scottish Executive website to assist respondents
seeking background material.
The closing date for responses was 16 April 2004. This
deadline was extended to allow some key stakeholders to
submit their comments. In total, 102 responses were
received from a wide range of stakeholders, and the
Scottish Ministers are grateful to those who took the time
to respond and shape the
SPP. A summary of the responses and main
issues arising was published on the Scottish Executive
website in September 2004. The report can be found at
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/planning/spp17cr-00.asp.
The main issues raised by respondees were discussed with
the external advisory group. The Scottish Ministers are
also grateful to the external advisory group for their
assistance in helping to finalise the
SPP.
There were no criticisms or concerns raised in relation
to the handling of the consultation exercise.
The written responses to the consultation document have
been placed in the Scottish Executive library and can be
consulted on request by contacting general enquiries, Tel:
0131 244 4556.
They have also been placed on the Scottish Executive
website at
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/spp17cr-00.asp.
August 2005
General
The majority of the 102 respondents broadly supported
the overall policy direction of the
SPP. Public transport operators
particularly welcomed the objective of reducing car travel
through planning positively in development for public
transport, walking and cycling.
A number of bodies questioned the relationship of this
draft
SPP to other recent or current
initiatives, some of which were not evident when the draft
SPP was written. The relationship to the
new Scottish Transport Agency, to Regional Transport
Partnerships and strategies, and to modernising development
planning are addressed in the final
SPP.
Rural, tourism and recreation bodies raised the more
recreational, including health, aspects of travel as
distinct from issues of transport viewed as accessibility
to land use development. Rural areas saw the draft
SPP as urban focused though in fact
there has been a shift from earlier
NPPGs to recognise issues of rural
accessibility. Presentation of inclusive mobility is an
issue we have discussed with Mobility and Access Committee
for Scotland.
Most community response on the handing of responsibility
for roadside service development on the A9 to the local
authorities has seen this as a change of policy towards a
free for all. In fact the change is largely procedural and
the Councils have resolved to maintain the current
substantive policy.
Changes to the
SPP following from the
consultation
The Scottish Executive has made a series of changes to
the draft
SPP as a direct consequence of the
consultation including discussion and comments from the
external advisory group and specific internal Scottish
Executive stakeholders. The paragraph numbers below follow
the sequence in the draft
SPP with new paragraphs in the final
SPP where appropriate identified in
brackets. Generally, footnotes have been added throughout
to clarify and explain acronyms, define terms, etc.
Paragraph 5 - Reference to the overall
vision has been moved up to the section on "The transport
vision" and the rest of paragraph 5 subsumed in the
sections on "Integration objectives" (new paragraph 6) and
on "Relationship of strategic planning to major transport
projects" (new paragraphs 16 and 17) to aid clarity.
Paragraph 6 - The list of integration
objectives formerly in
NPPG17 but not in the draft
SPP17 has been reinstated in bullet
form.
Paragraph 7 - A new bullet has been added
to cover the role of electronic communication in reducing
travel, congestion and pollution.
Following Paragraph 7 - In response to
representations and to the emergence of new policy not
available when the draft was written, new sections on
"Health and Transport", "Regional Transport Partnerships",
and "Rural Access and Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003" have
been added.
Major Strategic Projects - A new paragraph
(new paragraph 14) on "A National Transport Strategy" has
been added as an introduction to this section.
Paragraph 8 - This has been expanded into
a more structured section on "Policy support" emphasising
the interaction of development plan allocations and
delivery of transport infrastructure and services (new
paragraphs 15 to 18).
Paragraph 13 - This has been brought up to
date with developments in the governance of the rail
industry (new paragraph 23).
Paragraph 14 - This has been retitled to
encompass all forms of guided transit rather than just
trams (new paragraph 24).
Following paragraph 14 - Following
representations, a new section on "Planning for buses" has
been added (new paragraph 25).
Planning for seaports - Following
representations, this section has been extended to include
reference to the National Planning Framework consideration
of Hunterston and Scapa Flow, and to island and coastal
ferry services and their surface access (new paragraphs 29
to 31).
Paragraph 22 - Following representations,
the concept of prioritising modes is reintroduced (new
paragraph 35).
Planning for Mobility Impaired and Disabled
Access - Following representations from a number
of sources and a meeting with the Mobility and Access
Committee for Scotland, this section is renamed "Planning
for Inclusive Mobility" and includes sections on "Women and
transport" and "Planning for people with mobility
impairments". Terminology generally has been modified to be
more respectful, though no disrespect was intended by loose
terminology in the draft (new paragraphs 44 and 45).
Planning for Freight - Following
representations this has been extended to refer to Freight
Quality Partnerships (new paragraph 47).
Paragraphs 59 and 61 - Following
representations and further consideration by Trunk Road
Network Management Division, reference to minimum 24 km
spacing between service areas on motorways and trunk roads
has been omitted (new paragraphs 77 and 79). In addition
the previous distinction between core and non-core trunk
roads is no longer appropriate and has been dropped (new
paragraph 80).
Enquiries
Enquiries about the consultation process or the contents
of this report should be addressed to Tom Williamson,
Scottish Executive, Development Department, Planning
Division 4, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ. Alternatively
please phone 0131 244 7531 or e-mail
tom.williamson@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
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